Grand Scale Lego Building Contest Showcases Life's Information Persistence
Scientists at UC San Diego have developed an innovative way to showcase life's information persistence on a grand scale - by creating intricate Lego structures out of proteins derived from strands of DNA!
Feb. 15, 2023 7:40PM
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A scientist holds up two different colored Lego pieces while looking through a microscope at strands of DNA underneath them
Scientists have recently discovered a new and exciting way to showcase the information persistence of life on a grand scale. Through strands of DNA, proteins are created that enable an unprecedented lego building contest to take place. This innovative experiment is being conducted by researchers at the University of California, San Diego. They are using a unique method to build structures out of legos that have never been seen before. By using strands of DNA as the foundation for their creations, they are able to create intricate designs with amazing detail and complexity. The process begins with scientists extracting DNA from cells in order to create proteins that will act as the “building blocks” for their lego structures. These proteins can then be manipulated into various shapes and sizes in order to construct whatever type of structure desired. The end result is a creation made up entirely of pieces that were created through the manipulation of genetic material. The possibilities for this type of experiment are seemingly endless, as it could be used in any number of ways including medical research or even architecture design. It could also be used as an educational tool, allowing students to learn about genetics and how life works on a molecular level while also having fun constructing something tangible with their own hands. Though this project is still in its early stages, it has already garnered much attention from both scientists and laypeople alike who are eager to see what comes next from this ambitious endeavor. With so much potential for innovation and discovery, there’s no telling what kind of breakthroughs we may witness when these experiments reach completion!